JP2006148225A - Imaging apparatus, imaging apparatus control method, program, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To more conveniently carry out print designation and print execution by using an existing operation entry means. <P>SOLUTION: An imaging apparatus can instruct a printer on print processing of an image in response to a print instruction by the operation entry means when the printer is connected to the imaging apparatus, and the imaging apparatus can execute print settings of an image in response to a print instruction by the operation entry means when no printer is connected to the imaging apparatus. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus that can be connected to a printing apparatus, a control method for the imaging apparatus, a program, and a storage medium.

  In recent years, with the spread of digital cameras, a standard for printing by directly connecting a digital camera and a printer has been established in response to a user's desire to easily print an image taken by the user, and devices corresponding to the standard have been commercialized. In this standard, an image displayed on the LCD monitor can be printed, or can be printed by a print designation in accordance with the DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) standard. When using digital cameras and printers connected with this standard, each company has devised operating methods so that users can operate more easily.

  For example, if you have a dedicated print button on the digital camera body, connect the printer with a USB cable while playing back the captured image, and press the button once to print the image being played back. There is a system. In this system, when the printer is connected to the digital camera body and is in a printable state, printing is started by pressing the print button.

  In addition, when it is desired to print an arbitrary number of images among a plurality of captured images, it is possible to perform print designation in accordance with the DPOF standard, and then perform printing with a connected printer. As for this print designation method, there is a method that can be set by opening a menu from the normal reproduction mode, or can be easily set with a dedicated print designation button (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  Here, an example will be described in which a menu is opened and set from a general normal playback mode.

First, start up the digital camera in playback mode and press the menu button. A large classification of various settings (camera settings, card settings, system settings, etc.) is displayed on the screen. Here, when the card setting is selected, a large number of setting items (image size setting, image quality setting, print designation setting, etc.) are displayed. Here, when the print designation setting is selected, items of individual print setting, setting one sheet for all images, and deleting all print designation are displayed. If you select individual print settings, one or more images will be displayed on the LCD monitor, set the number of images for each, switch images as necessary, and continue setting the number of prints Can do.
JP 2002-223379 A

  However, in a conventional model having a dedicated print button, when the printer is not connected, nothing happens even if the button is pressed, and the button is wasted. Also, when specifying printing, the model that opens the menu is easy to operate, and on models that have a dedicated print specification button, if you want to start printing when a printer is connected, The button required another operation and the printing operation became complicated.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image pickup apparatus, an image pickup apparatus control method, a program, and a storage medium that can perform print designation and print execution more conveniently using operation input means such as these buttons.

  In order to achieve the above object, an imaging apparatus of the present invention is an imaging apparatus that can be connected to a printing apparatus, and stores storage means for storing an image obtained by imaging, and printing of the image stored in the storage means. When the operation input means for inputting an instruction and the printing apparatus are connected, in response to a print instruction by the operation input means, the printing apparatus can be instructed to print the image, and the printing apparatus And control means for enabling the print setting of the image in response to a print instruction from the operation input means when not connected.

  The image pickup apparatus control method according to the present invention can be connected to a printing apparatus, and stores a storage means for storing an image obtained by image pickup, and an operation input means for inputting a print instruction for the image stored in the storage means. And a control method of the imaging apparatus, wherein when the printing apparatus is connected, in response to a printing instruction by the operation input means, the printing apparatus can be instructed to print the image. And a control step for enabling the print setting of the image in response to a print instruction from the operation input means when the printing apparatus is not connected.

  The program of the present invention is connectable to a printing apparatus, and includes a storage unit that stores an image obtained by imaging, and an operation input unit that inputs a print instruction for the image stored in the storage unit. A program for executing a control method of an imaging apparatus, wherein the printing apparatus can be instructed to print the image in response to a printing instruction by the operation input unit when the printing apparatus is connected And a control step of enabling the print setting of the image in response to a print instruction from the operation input means when the printing apparatus is not connected.

  The storage medium of the present invention is connectable to a printing apparatus, and includes a storage unit that stores an image obtained by imaging, and an operation input unit that inputs a print instruction for the image stored in the storage unit. A storage medium storing a program code for executing a control method of the imaging apparatus, wherein the image printing process is performed in response to a print instruction by the operation input unit when the printing apparatus is connected A control code for enabling a print apparatus to be instructed, and for enabling the print setting of the image in response to a print instruction from the operation input unit when the printing apparatus is not connected. To do.

  According to the present invention, print designation and print execution can be performed more conveniently using existing operation input means. For example, by using the operation input means on the digital camera body, print designation is set when the printer is not connected to the digital camera, and printing is performed when the printer is connected. It is possible to intuitively understand that the operation can be performed, and it is possible to easily and directly operate without performing unnecessary operations. In addition, since it is possible to configure so that operation means are not individually assigned to the functions of print execution and print designation, it is possible to reduce product costs and increase the degree of freedom in product design.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system and internal configuration of a digital camera and printer in an embodiment of the present invention.

  Reference numeral 1 denotes a digital camera body, and 11 a printer body, which are connected by a connection cable 10 and can communicate with each other. In the digital camera body 1, 2 is a camera unit that captures an image of a subject and obtains an image signal and performs predetermined image processing, and 3 can display an image obtained from the camera unit 2, This is an LCD monitor that displays information related to transfer to an external device such as a printer or PC. Reference numeral 7 denotes a storage device that records captured images and programs and data necessary for operating the digital camera. An I / O unit 5 exchanges data for communicating with the printer 11 and interprets and converts various signals. Reference numeral 6 denotes an external connection terminal, which is a terminal for physically connecting the connection cable 10 and transmitting / receiving data. Reference numeral 8 denotes a print button which also has a function for inputting a print instruction or other settings as will be described later. The print button control unit 4 controls the operation of each block.

  In the printer main body, reference numeral 15 denotes a printing apparatus which prints an image sent from a digital camera on a predetermined recording medium. The printing method is not limited, and an inkjet, a sublimation type, an electrophotography, etc. , Chairs may be used. The external connection terminal 12 and the I / O unit 13 are the same as the external connection terminal 6 and the I / O unit 5. The processing unit 14 controls the entire printer and converts an image from the digital camera into an image format suitable for printer output.

  Next, the form for implementing this invention is shown below using the block diagram of FIG. 1, and the flowchart of FIG. The photographing action in the digital camera is omitted because it is not directly related to the present invention.

  Turn on the power of the digital camera 1 to set the playback mode. The control unit 4 reads the data stored in the storage device 7 and displays the photographed image on the LCD monitor 3.

  First, a case where a printer is not connected will be described. In this state, when the user presses the print button 8 (S1), the control unit 4 recognizes that the printer is not connected (S2), and instantly displays the print designation setting menu on the LCD monitor 3 (S3). ). If the printer is connected but not powered on, it is determined that it is not connected and the same operation is performed. In this print designation setting menu, items such as individual print settings, setting one sheet for all images, and deleting all print designations may be displayed as in the conventional example. However, when this button is pressed, It is preferable that only the number of images currently being reproduced or the print setting can be canceled. The user operates this menu to set the number of print designations of the currently displayed image or cancel the print designation (0 sheets). It is also possible to switch the image while this menu is open and set the image. Alternatively, the menu can be closed once by an operation, another image is reproduced, and the print button 8 is pressed again to set the print designation. The print designation set in this way is recorded in the storage device 7.

  Next, a case where the printer 11 is connected to the digital camera 1 via the external connection terminal 6 will be described. The digital camera 1 and the printer 11 perform bidirectional communication by connecting the connection cable 10 to the external connection terminals 6 and 12. In this state, when the user presses the print button 8 (S1), the control unit 4 recognizes that the printer 11 is connected (S2) and confirms whether the print designation information is recorded in the storage device 7 (S4). ) If it is not recorded, the currently reproduced image is printed (S7). When the print designation information is recorded in the storage device 7, the menu FIG. 3 is displayed on the LCD monitor 3 for confirming whether the currently reproduced image is printed or whether the print designation information is set. (S6). The user operates this menu to print the currently reproduced image or select print designation printing. In accordance with this selection, the control unit 4 transfers the currently reproduced image data and print information to the printer 11. The processing unit 14 of the printer 11 performs printing (S7) or print designation printing (S8) on the currently reproduced image based on the received image data and print information.

  Thus, with one button, printing can be executed when the printer is connected, and printing can be specified when the printer is not connected, and an easy-to-understand and easy-to-use user interface can be provided.

  In addition, by using one push button switch as the operation unit, it is possible to perform printing and print designation with a simpler operation.

  Also, after printing is set with the push button without connecting a printer, when the printer is connected and the push button is pressed, the currently playing image is printed or printing is performed based on the print designation. A display for confirming whether or not to do so is displayed on the monitor, and the user selects the menu with a selection means (such as a cross key (not shown)), so that printing according to the user's intention can be executed quickly.

(Other embodiments)
In the above embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a digital camera has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a print instruction can be given to a printing apparatus such as a video camera or a mobile phone with a camera. Needless to say, the present invention can also be applied to other terminal apparatuses.

  If the printer can control print settings and image transfer on the camera side from the printer side, the processing of the flowchart in FIG. 2 and the display in FIG. 3 can be configured to be performed on the printer side.

  Another object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus. It is also achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium and program storing the program code constitute the present invention.

  The storage medium for supplying the program code is, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW. DVD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, and the like can be used.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) running on the computer based on an instruction of the program code, etc. Includes a case where the function of each embodiment described above is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. This includes the case where the CPU or the like provided in the board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a state in which a digital still camera and a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention are connected. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the digital still camera according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the screen displayed on the LCD monitor of the digital still camera by embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital camera main body 2 Camera part 3 LCD monitor 4 Control part 5 I / O part 6 External connection terminal 7 Storage device 8 Print button 10 Connection cable 11 Printer main body 12 External connection terminal 13 I / O part 14 Processing part 15 Printing apparatus

Claims (7)

An imaging device that can be connected to a printing device,
Storage means for storing an image obtained by imaging;
Operation input means for inputting an instruction to print an image stored in the storage means;
When the printing apparatus is connected, it is possible to instruct the printing apparatus to print the image in response to a printing instruction by the operation input unit, and when the printing apparatus is not connected, the operation input is performed. An image pickup apparatus comprising: control means for enabling print setting of the image in response to a print instruction by the means.   The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the printing apparatus is not connected, the control unit can set a print specification or a number of prints for an image reproduced on the display unit.   The control means, after setting the print specification setting value or the number of prints by the operation input means in a state where the printing apparatus is not connected, and then inputting the operation again by the operation input means when the printing apparatus is connected. Sometimes, the display for confirming whether the image being displayed on the display means is printed by the printing apparatus or whether printing is performed based on the set value of the print specification stored in the storage means or the number of printed sheets is The image pickup apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image pickup apparatus is displayed on a display unit.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation input unit includes one push button switch. A method for controlling an imaging apparatus, comprising: a storage unit that is connectable to a printing apparatus and stores an image obtained by imaging; and an operation input unit that inputs a print instruction for an image stored in the storage unit. ,
When the printing apparatus is connected, it is possible to instruct the printing apparatus to print the image in response to a printing instruction by the operation input unit, and when the printing apparatus is not connected, the operation input is performed. And a control step for enabling the print setting of the image in response to a print instruction by the means. A control method for an imaging apparatus is provided that includes a storage unit that can be connected to a printing apparatus and stores an image obtained by imaging, and an operation input unit that inputs a print instruction for the image stored in the storage unit. A program for
When the printing apparatus is connected, it is possible to instruct the printing apparatus to print the image in response to a printing instruction by the operation input unit, and when the printing apparatus is not connected, the operation input is performed. And a control step for enabling the print setting of the image in response to a print instruction by the means. A control method for an imaging apparatus is provided that includes a storage unit that can be connected to a printing apparatus and stores an image obtained by imaging, and an operation input unit that inputs a print instruction for the image stored in the storage unit. A storage medium storing a program code for
When the printing apparatus is connected, it is possible to instruct the printing apparatus to print the image in response to a printing instruction by the operation input unit, and when the printing apparatus is not connected, the operation input is performed. A storage medium comprising: a control code for enabling a print setting of the image in response to a print instruction by the means.

Images